• China’s military conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea.
• The military warns the Philippines to stop provocations and external alliances.
• The warning follows joint military exercises involving the US and Japan.
• China aims to consolidate control amidst overlapping territorial claims.
• The US supports freedom of navigation and maritime rights in disputed waters.

China's military announced it has conducted "routine" patrols in the South China Sea while issuing a stern warning to the Philippines. A spokesperson from the Southern Theater Command stated that the Philippines must cease any provocations that may escalate tensions in the region, emphasizing the ongoing defense of Chinese sovereignty according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

This warning follows joint military drills conducted by the US, Japan, and the Philippines within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. The Chinese military's spokesperson emphasized that attempts to provoke or disrupt the situation will not succeed, referencing these external forces as detrimental to stability in the South China Sea according to Al Jazeera.

The context of the warnings is further heightened by China's plans to establish a nature reserve at the contested Scarborough Shoal, a territory also claimed by the Philippines. This proposal has met with significant opposition from the Philippines, reinforced by statements from US officials condemning China's actions, which were described as coercive maneuvers against regional stability according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.